Giving thanks…

Ron is alive and well. We are living comfortably and the girls are healthy and living good lives. Carol has a wonderful young man. Pearl is learning her craft. Lexi WILL gradute from high school on schedule (not sure if that is a prediction or threat). We have a new addition to the family – our niece was married and is now Mrs. James Hampton.

Veterans’ Day 2007

We’re back in the swing of things. Sorry for the late posting…but as Ron gets better, I have less to to think and write. Ron was invited to give speeches at two events and we flew the colors at a third. Sunday morning found us at the traditional American Legion commemoration in downtown Stockton at Memorial Auditorium. A small lobby packed and overflowing with veterans and families. That afternoon we attended the event at the Karl Ross Post and Monday Ron spent most of the day at a Congressman McNerney’s hearing on the possibility of a new hospital for vets in San Joaquin County. Oh – and he got a medal for just plain being a nice guy – well, actually recognition for his service to the veterans community from the DAR. If you stay tuned…I’ll probably be posting the last missive sometime after Christmas…thank you again for your thoughts and prayers.

Lazy Sunday…

After yesterday, it’s nice to kick back and have a lazy day. I’m no good at plumbing, so yesterday Ron talked me through replacing two water filters and a broken exterior faucett. See him smiling? Our handyman hero.

We’ve finally gotten the therapy problem resolved…he’s been opted out of physical therapy cause he gets around so well and is in good shape, other than his left arm. He begins occupational therapy on Monday – mostly to work with that left arm, which may be the result of nerve damage. Plus what he considers critical – getting cleared to drive again so he can regain his freedom and get back to work. It’s a slow process…but with clear goals in sight, he will make it.

And here’s how he looked today…

Partners…

One of the nicest things about marriage is the partnership. Once…a few weeks back…I was getting ready to leave Lodi West when I saw that Ron was engrossed in a TV program. He asked me to stay, and when I asked why, he said companionship. The comfort of the company of someone you really know…I guess that’s what long-married couples do. They may be talked-out at times but just the prescense of the other is a part of their lives. I think that is what devestated me so much while Ron was recovering…he wasn’t here.

Today another one of the amenities of marriage happened. Yesterday was a bad day. Pearl and then Ron sat on our family room futon and it collapsed. The kitchen sink and dishwasher backed up and water wouldn’t drain…spilled out on the floor from the dishwasher hose. I came home today and Ron had called a plumber and the backup was fixed and he’d loaded the dishwasher and run a load. The things we take for granted sometimes….
We will still have to go out and buy a replacement futon frame if we can’t fix the old one. But every day I come home and find work has been done and my companion is here to greet me.

Home Day Three…

Day three at home and we are settling into a routine of sorts. School began today, so it was Ron’s first day on his own. Alexis and I were out the door early after feeding the animals (goat, dogs, cats, chickens, and Quackers the duck). I called Ron right before my first class and he was already up, had eaten breakfast and ridden the stationary bicycle (which he did twice today – two times more than I did). He’s feeling better each day – and is sleeping better each night.
Sunday (yesterday) we went to church – got there a few minutes into the Pastor Dennis’ introduction – and when Ron walked into the room folks started clapping. The church had a prayer circle going since the day of the accident and everyone was very emotional at seeing their prayers had been successful. Needless to say, Ron was touched. He says he still can’t believe how many people really care for him.
That means everyone who has read the blog, written a card, called, or thought positive thoughts…the family thanks each and every one of you. I know the strength of your positive thinking somehow got through to him and helped him come back.

HOME

We are home and together again.

Friday is THE DAY

Just got a call from the discharge planner at the hospital – Ron is scheduled to come on this Friday! So if you want to give him a call or drop by, make it after 9am either Saturday or Sunday. We have to start a whole new daily regimine. Remember to allow time if you call during the week for him to get the phone, since I’ll be at work.

Fingers crossed…

Keep your fingers crossed…we think Ron may be released to come home this week. The staff at Lodi Memorial West has a weekly evaluation meeting every Wednesday (tomorrow is the big day) to discuss how patients are advancing. Ron is very upbeat and is pretty sure he’s outa there sometime after Wednesday. Why? Cause he is getting lessons in how to make a sandwich (with one good arm and hand). Survival skills. I’ve almost got the house ready…just have to install a couple of grab bars beside the stepdown into the family room and beside the toilet in the bathroom. Even trimmed the lavendar and rosemary bushes along the front path so he wouldn’t snag on them. The only reason the hospital might have for keeping him another week is concern about his left arm and hand, which he cannot use properly. He can barely make a fist, has a very weak grasp with the hand and it is painful to lift the arm. Doctor says it might take six months to a year to get it back (or as far back as it will come).

Another step…

Yesterday Ron was cleared to transfer out of bed by himself. No more calling a nurse or attendant to watch over him if he needs a quick trip to the bathroom or to get out of his wheelchair into bed. Still don’t have definite word on what day he will be home…maybe next week or the week after. Hoping for next week.

A family weekend…

We almost had a complete family get together on Sunday…and if Pearl had gotten off work a few hours earlier and Carol was able to put off her afternoon appointment, it would have happened. Carol came in around 11:30 while I was visiting…I ran home to get Alexis, Garrett (our yellow lab), and a newly aquired white banty chicken. Brought the menagere back and visited with Ron under the awning of an outside patio. Then he and Alexis went in for lunch (he ate, she watched), while Carol and I ran the animals home. In the meantime Pearl got off work early and left Reno at noon. Ron had a rest after lunch, so I took the girls out for sushi and then we said goodbye to Carol. As I was driving back to Lodi West after dropping Alexis off at home, I called Pearl who said she was just heading down Davis Road and – whoosh! She passed me, heading for home, so I turned around and we both went to see her dad. We visited for several hours and watched “The Last Mimsey.” A very relaxing day, remeniscent of days spent at home just talking and enjoying each others’ company. And in only two weeks (more or less) we’ll all be back together again.